SRINAGAR: Police in north kashmir’s Baramulla district have prohibited the movement of tourists to the interior areas of Mulbangil and Batoo via the Hajibal-Babareshi route, citing safety concerns and the lack of adequate tourist infrastructure.
In an advisory, police said there has been a recent increase in tourist visits to the remote areas, with some tourism service providers, guides and transport operators reportedly facilitating such trips.
The advisory stated that the Qazipora–Ziran–Batoo–Mulbangil–Hajibal route is not part of any notified or recognised tourist circuit and passes through isolated terrain where emergency response facilities and visitor support infrastructure are either limited or unavailable.
To safeguard visitors and prevent travel to areas not designated for tourism activities, authorities have imposed an immediate restriction on movement along the route until further orders.
Police have directed hotel owners, guest house and homestay operators, travel agencies, tour operators, taxi drivers, tourist guides, pony operators and other stakeholders not to advertise, organise, facilitate or encourage visits to the restricted areas.
Police teams will be deployed at strategic locations to ensure compliance with the order.
Authorities warned that any individual or establishment found violating the restrictions or facilitating unauthorised tourist movement would face legal action under the relevant provisions of law.
Tourists have been advised to cooperate with the authorities and limit their visits to approved and established destinations in the Tangmarg-Gulmarg region.
